Surprise, disappointment in Worcester on city manager's decision to resign

Wednesday

Nov 20, 2013 at 7:52 PM

By Lisa Eckelbecker, TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

WORCESTER — City Manager Michael V. O'Brien's decision to step down from his post for a job in the private sector left local business, political and community officials surprised on Wednesday and, in some cases, disappointed.

"I'm just absolutely shocked," said Charles F. Monahan Jr., president of MCPHS University, a Boston-based health sciences university that has a 2,000-student campus in downtown Worcester. "It's a great loss to the city, and a great loss to the university and to me personally. He's been very supportive."

Mr. O'Brien, city manager since 2004, has accepted a job with the national real estate firm WinnCompanies and expects to leave his city job as of Jan. 5.

People who have worked with Mr. O'Brien said he brought high energy to the job, sometimes sending emails at odd hours and always pushing multiple initiatives simultaneously.

"Mike's work ethic, energy, and enthusiasm will be missed by the city,"said Timothy P. Murray, president and chief executive of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Christopher J. Crowley, executive vice president of beverage bottler Polar Beverages, described Mr. O'Brien as a fun character who keeps an "insane" schedule.

School Superintendent Melinda J. Boone said she will miss Mr. O'Brien and praised him for his work on school building projects and on the collaboration between the city, public library, schools and other organizations that is putting public branch libraries in four schools.

She also noted that under Mr. O'Brien, city officials spent a lot of time learning about school finance and what the state requires from the city. Worcester is spending slightly more than required this year after falling under the requirement last year.

"We've had a very good working relationship," Ms. Boone said. "We spent a lot of time to get to the answers on school spending."

Worcester Police Chief Gary J. Gemme, who has worked with Mr. O'Brien for nine years, described the city manager as a champion of public safety and a strong supporter of the police department.

"Because of his unwavering commitment, Worcester is a safer and more livable community," Mr. Gemme said.

Mr. O'Brien also brought political savvy to his job as an envoy to lawmakers on matters concerning Worcester, according to state Sen. Harriette L. Chandler, D-Worcester.

"He understood instinctively where alliances need to be made," Mrs. Chandler said. "He represented Worcester to the federal delegation, to the state delegation. I think he was very impressive."

Observers said they wish Mr. O'Brien well and understand his move to the private sector.

"I think it's great for him," said Janice B. Yost, president and chief executive of the Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts. "I think Worcester will miss him, but I think Worcester's being left in a very good place."

Contact Lisa Eckelbecker at leckelbecker@telegram.com. Follow her on Twitter @LisaEckelbeckerJacqueline Reis and Scott J. Croteau of the Telegram & Gazette staff contributed to this report.